Dishes

I know I would not surprise anyone if I made the statement, "I have a teenager who has a smart mouth". I truly believe that the statement is true of lots of young people in that age group. Although WHO coined the phrase a "smart mouth"? There is nothing at all smart about a mouth that can't be quiet, listen to reason or show respect. I'd rather say "I have a teenager with a dumb mouth". Makes so much more sense to me!

Yesterday morning, before church my Tasha began talking back and being disrespectful over brushing her hair....well, more to the point the fact that she had not brushed it and I asked her to brush. I KNOW that 99% of all the trouble my kids land in is over really really really poor choices involving dumb things. Not that brushing your hair is dumb, but the desire to argue over it...that's dumb. But, not surprising me at all, she did. I kid you not when I say she actually had grass in her hair. Truly. The long and short of the "dumb mouth" was that Tasha was given the chore of washing all the dishes in the sink and cleaning up, by herself, after lunch.

As I stood in the field taking these pictures.......





I asked Tasha, "Did you finish all the dishes?" She replied, ""yes" I then, just following up said, "All the dirty dishes are washed, dried and put away?" Tasha said, "They were when I left the kitchen." I thought that was impressive and I actually appreciated the manner in which she answered the questions (respectfully).
At least until I walked into the kitchen to see that what I thought was respect was truly deceit and lies. Once again her mouth interfered with civil conversation and she was told that she now had sink duty this whole week. Tasha will not leave the house after school everyday until the kitchen sink (and it's surroundings) are clean. Mouth entered in and after lots of yuck she left the kitchen without dinner and refused to do the still left over dishes (actually the GROWING left over dishes). I did walk to her room and tell her she had to have the dishes done and she could come finish them or I would wake her in the morning early to finish them, her choice.

Fast forwarding to morning my kids eating breakfast had to search for utensils...

One funny conversation went like this....

Jacob...I finished eating before you two (Tori and Ryan who were eating with him)
Ryan....well, duh!
Tori....look at your spoon! Of course you finished first!

The dishes situation is getting serious.

On a side not here...I do have children who "get it" and are happy. Mercedez happily assumes 'gas log starter' every single morning! This is where you see her about 6:30am.

AND she is the one who is responsible for getting Miss Nina up and going (they are always ready to go). I laughed at this of Sarah and Nina this morning eating their peanut butter toast....


I seemingly have a whole of of attitudes all happening at one time...

I told everyone to hurry up that dad was taking them to school in just a few minutes. We knew Tasha would not be done and Scott offered. Tasha immediately stopped washing and turned to leave the kitchen. I told her she would go to school when the dishes were done. She immediately was concerned about her perfect attendance, to which I reminded her of whose choice it was as to the timing of the dishes. She deflected and then said, "Dishes is no excuse for being late!" I simply smiled and told her if I needed to explain to the school why she was late I didn't mind at all. Excused or not they would be finished. I think she finally figured it out. I mean what I say.

Tasha arrived at school at 8:14 and the dishes and sink are all nice, neat and clean. I did smile at the "WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE TO EAT SO MUCH!!!" comments as she washed:) This week the sink duty will be hers. Some things are too important to back away from...respect will always be one of those "things" to me!